Barry Otieno joins race for presidency five days after resigning as FKF CEO

Immediate former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Barry Otieno has formally declared his bid for the presidency.

Otieno caught many by surprise after resigning from his position as the body’s CEO five days ago citing work-related pressure.

However, his reason for calling it quits appeared not to convince many as he had for long been rumoured to be warming up for the top seat at Kandanda House.

Otieno had served as FKF’s General Secretary for five years and enjoyed a close working relationship with the incumbent president Nick Mwendwa.

A fallout between the two was, however, widely reported during Otieno’s sunset days at FKF although the genesis of it was not made clear.

A post on the Harambee Stars X account, that went viral on Wednesday before it was deleted, harshly criticized Otieno as a 'toxic bully' and a 'top-notch liar', highlighting reported acrimony between him and his colleagues in his final days as FKF CEO

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Otieno, who served as FKF CEO for five years, is seeking to return to the body as its leader with four key agendas to fulfil.

The former communications officer at the body has pledged to empower clubs, improve governance, improve grassroots football and have a holistic development of the game.

“I wish to announce my candidacy for the presidency of the Football Kenya Federation. After serving as the federation's General Secretary/Chief Executive Officer for the past five years, I have decided to take this step with a vision to elevate Kenyan football to new heights,” he said in a statement to media houses.

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Having made up his mind and joined the race, Otieno will come up against Hussein Mohammed, Cleophas Shimanyula, Jack Oguda, Sam Ochola, Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino and Tom Alila who are all eyeing the seat.

Mwendwa, who has been holding the cards close to his chest, is yet to announce whether he will be vying or his preferred candidate in the event that he is barred from contesting.

The polls are expected to be conducted in December this year.